WA woman cops horse ban for animal cruelty

A 60-year-old Perth woman who neglected her pony has been banned for life from owning horses and fined $2000.

Lesley Randell pleaded guilty in the Joondalup Magistrates Court on Friday to a charge of being cruel to her animal because it suffered harm that could have been alleviated by taking reasonable steps.

RSPCA inspectors attended a property in the outer-northern suburb of Carabooda in May 2011 to collect a horse surrendered by Randell.

While they were there, they observed a miniature pony, known as Little Man, was in a poor condition and having difficulty walking and overgrown hooves.

Little Man was taken to the RSPCA where veterinary staff observed all four hooves were overgrown, his tail was matted up to the dock and contained dirt and debris, which suggested he spent a lot of time on the ground and was not receiving care.

He was then taken to a specialist equine veterinary centre where it was revealed that one leg was unable to be fully extended.

The pony was euthanased on humane grounds because there was no cure for his condition.